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Flight delays and respect


Tuesday, February 17, 2009


Posted by John McHale

During a five-hour flight delay I had in Dallas on Saturday I had plenty of time to people watch, surf the net, and down some large cups of Starbucks coffee.

The best part of the people watching was seeing the respect shown toward military personnel throughout the airport. Many travelers offered a simple "thank you for your service" or "where are you from" comment. The troops were mostly young men and women traveling between assignments or returning home from Iraq or other deployments.

I'm glad I saw it. Sometimes during trips we get so focused on our destination we miss the real-life reminders around us. It makes complaining about a lack of power outlets, poor wireless connections, or lousy airport food seem silly.

During your next trip if you come across some soldiers, sailors, or airmen please follow the example of those Dallas travelers and offer a hello or thank you or even a "come home safe."

I have extended family serving over seas and what we want most is their safe return. Their sacrifice is real and humbling.

The long delay was frustrating but worth it to witness behavior I have not seen toward military forces in foreign airports. It strikes me as uniquely American.

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Welcome to the lighter side of Military & Aerospace Electronics. This is where our staff recount tales of the strange, the weird, and the otherwise offbeat. We could put news here, but we have the rest of our Website for that. Enjoy our scribblings, and feel free to add your own opinions. You might also get to know us in the process. Proceed at your own risk.

John Keller for MAE
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.


Courtney Howard for MAE Courtney E. Howard is senior editor of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine. She is responsible for writing news stories and feature articles for the print publication, as well as composing daily news for the magazine's Website and assembling the weekly electronic newsletter. Her features have appeared in such high-tech trade publications as Military & Aerospace Electronics, Computer Graphics World, Electronic Publishing, Small Times, and The Audio Amateur.


John McHale for MAE John McHale is executive editor of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, where he has been covering the defense Industry for more than dozen years. During that time he also led PennWell's launches of magazines and shows on homeland security and a defense publication and website in Europe. Mr. McHale has served as chairman of the Military & Aerospace Electronics Forum and its Advisory Council since 2004. He lives in Boston with his golf clubs.

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